The BFG (2016)

Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant. Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming. As their friendship grows, Sophie’s presence attracts the unwanted attention of Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and other giants.

Director : Steven Spielberg

My opinion

“Where am I?
Giant country!”

Steven Spielberg knows how to bring the magical world of Roald Dahl to life on a screen in a masterly way. Occasionally I need to watch a not too complicated or weighty film. Such a film that takes you to an enchanting, carefree world and to forget about everyday worries for a while. This time it’s a lovable little girl, Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), who after seeing the big friendly giant wandering through the dark streets of London is kidnapped by him and taken to Giant Country. Just like Mowgli in “The Jungle Book“, Sophie is surrounded by computer-generated animations. But not completely. The face of the BFG looked quite familiar. Afterwards I discovered that Mark Rylance, who recently starred as Rudolf Abel in “Bridge of Spies” (also directed by Spielberg and he received an Academy Award for it), was the one whose face was used to shape the friendly, vegetarian giant.

Again, it’s admirable how a little puny girl must act in a void, because I think the whole country inhabited by the giant giants is just a room filled with blue screens. Especially the majestic scene where she goes hunting for dreams along with the gentle giant, is a prime example of technological magic. When the less peaceful giants start looking for Sophie, those images made me think of “Jack the Giant Slayer“. And the made-up language used by the friendly giant, proves where J.K. Rowling took inspiration from so she could design the quirky lingo her characters spoke in the Potter series. But it’s particularly the shaping and impressive design that you’re gazing at with open mouth. The landscapes in Giant Country and the home of BFG is detailed and sharply imaged. But especially old London looks fantastic. Nocturnal London where the big friendly giant wanders around so he can blow his dream into the children’s bedrooms and where he ingeniously (and sometimes hilariously) manages to hide for wandering night owls.

Most importantly is to let yourself be carried away in this wonderful world, otherwise it all looks rather childish. The film isn’t particularly terrifying. This makes it suitable for little kids. And they’ll amuse themselves when the gentle giant pulls out his home-brewed “frobscottle”. Drinking this greenish substance results in a fairly serious form of flatulence. Normally you’ll see comical situations with lots of farting or belching in a vulgar comedy. But here it produces some hilarious moments (even in the presence of the Queen).

There’s actually nothing negative to say about this movie. Besides the fact that it was never really exciting or impressive. Maybe I’m not so easily impressed by something and are we already accustomed to these fabulous gadgets used in the world of movies. But I didn’t experience that wow feeling when watching “The BFG“. It wasn’t like the first “Harry Potter” movie. Or the first part of “The Lord of the Rings“. There wasn’t that magical atmosphere that makes it seem like you were teleported to another imaginary world. And that’s what I missed in this, especially charming, fairy tale. In a way it’s also a touching story. The not so big giant, eating slimy cucumber-like vegetables instead of human flesh and thereby being bullied. And then there’s that vulnerable little girl jumping into the breach for him. An engaging and simultaneously amusing story that younger children can enjoy. In other words, a suitable family film.

Thrilling trailers

Movie Newsflashes

Sharwanand’s look in Ranarangam unveiled25 May 2019 13:57Indian ExpressRanarangam first look: The Sharwanand starrer will be released on August 2, 2019.
The first look and teaser of actor Sharwanand’s next film Ranarangam was unveiled on Saturday.
Sharwanand took to his Facebook page to share the teaser of the Sudheer Varma …

A big screen festival for little ones25 May 2019 13:56Sydney Morning HeraldEddie Tamir is aware that kids' flicks don't always have the most sterling reputation among parents. He is hoping the Children’s International Film Festival will change that.
"What I've seen before, what I've probably done before, is …

Terminator 6: What We Know So Far About Dark Fate25 May 2019 13:54Cinema BlendThe Terminator first said "I'll be back" in 1984. He was right, several times over, but I can't say I expected him to still be back 35 years later. Turns out, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and franchise co-creator James Cameron …

John Wick: Chapter 4 Just Got Some Major Opening Weekend Competition25 May 2019 13:54Cinema BlendAfter only a week at the box office, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum has already surpassed the earnings of the first film’s entire theatrical run. It was also the first film to dethrone Avengers: Endgame for the #1 weekend rank after almost a month. So …

You changed my life forever: Anupam to Mahesh Bhatt25 May 2019 13:45Can India NewsMumbai, May 25 (IANS) Veteran actor Anupam Kher credits his flourishing career in Bollywood to filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who directed him in the 1984 acclaimed film “Saaransh”.
“Saaransh”, which has clocked 35 years of its release in the Hindi film industry, …

Oviyavai Vitta Yaaru movie review: Watchable to some extent25 May 2019 13:45The Asian AgeThe film had a title Seeni and started before Oviya became famous with her stint in Bigg Boss.
Rating:
Direction: Rajadurai
Cast: Sanjeevi, Oviya, Radha Ravi
The film had a title Seeni and started before Oviya became famous with her stint in Bigg Boss. …

Trailers of the Week: ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’...25 May 2019 13:36Stamford AdvocatePhoto: Andrew Cooper/Columbia Pictures
Photo: Andrew Cooper/Columbia Pictures
Photo: Andrew Cooper/Columbia Pictures
Trailers of the Week: ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’ ‘Star Trek: Picard’
Has it really been less than a week since HBO …

'Photograph' develops a gentle romance between two strangers25 May 2019 13:27www.madison.comRitesh Batra’s films might be considered romantic comedies, except they’re not quite romantic and they’re not quite comedies. With ‘The Lunchbox,” “Our Souls at Night” and now “Photograph,” Batra focuses on films about two strangers who meet in unlikely …

How to plan a family D-Day weekend in Normandy25 May 2019 13:17Daily MailThe flags are going up, the mowers are out and the cafe owners are stocking up on beer and cider — as they always do ahead of June 6 every year.
The anniversary of D-Day stirs powerful mixed emotions here in Normandy. It is both a celebration of the …

More

About Me

I’m Peter.
Born in 1966.
And living in Belgium.
I’ve been married to Veronika for 10 years already.
And together we have two lovely kids , Karolien and Filip.
And guess what ….. I’m a big movie-fan. Who could have guessed that!
As long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by the medium film. And the number of movies I’ve seen till now, is even unknown to me.